The special Senate election’s early flow favors appointed Sen. Luther Strange (R). First, on candidate filing day, two strong potential opponents decided not to run. Then, in a blow to conservative activist candidates hoping to attack Strange from the right, the National Rifle Association yesterday announced their endorsement of the new Senator. His top two challengers for the August 15th Republican primary election are US Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) and former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore.